Envelope arrangement



A ril 13, 1965 av. TOPETCHY 3,173,097

ENVELOPE ARRANGEMENT Filed Feb. 3, 1964 INVENTOR. Bswo/v M TOPETCHY A7TORNEY velope along the side edge.

United States Patent OfiFice 3,17%??7 ENVELGPE ARRANGEMENT Byron V. Topetchy, L635 7/ 8 Temple t., Los Augeles, Calif. Filed Feb. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 342,129 2 Qlaims. (Qt. 229--86) This invention relates to the envelope art and more particularly to an improved arrangement for permitting the opening of a sealed envelope without the use of external implements to allow removal of the contents thereof.

With the advent of new and improved glues and other bonding agents, envelopes of the type commonly used for mailing various items have become progressively more difficult to open after they have been scaled. Among the most common ways of opening such envelopes has been the utilization of a sharp edged instrument as a cutting member inserted appropriately into the envelope to out along an edge thereof. This requires that the gluing or sealing of the envelope be somewhat incomplete to allow initial insertion of the cutting memher. If such a cutting member were not readily available when it was desired to so open an envelope the envelope was often torn and, in many instances, the contents thereof were also inadvertently torn.

Therefore, there has long been a need for an envelope that may be completely sealed to'protect the contents thereof and yet comparatively easy to open without utilization of any external implementation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved envelope.

t is another object of this invention to provide .an envelope that may be easily opened after scaling to allow the removal of the contents thereof.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved envelope including means for opening the envelope without utilization of external implementation.

The above and other objects are achieved, according to one embodiment of applicants invention, by providing, in an envelope of the kind having a front panel and a back panel joined along the bottom and the side edges thereof to define an open topped cavity and a flap portion coupled to the front panel along the top edge thereof and sealable on the back panel, a flexible threaddilre member contained within the cavity and placed adjacent one of the edges thereof. The thread-lilte member, for

example, may be placed, in one embodiment of applicants invention, along one of the side edges of the envelope. The thread-like member extends throughout the full length of the side edge from the top edge to the bottom edge thereof and also has a portion inside the cavity adjacent the bottom edge and extending a preselected distance therealong from the side edge. The thread-like member also includes a portion exterior the envelope emerging from the envelope at the intersection of the side edge and the top edge and extending back down along the side edge on the outside of the envelope a pre selected distance.

The thread-like member is bonded at several preselected locations to the interior of the envelope to hold the thread-like member adjacent the side edge and thereby prevent the thread-like member from interfering with the insertion of contents into the envelope.

The portion of the thread-like member external the envelope is detachably glued. to the outside of the en- Applicant has found it advantageous to so bond this portion of the thread-like member to the outside of the envelope so that it is not inadvertently pulled or distorted during normal mailing 3,l78,7 Patented Apr. 13, 1965 be desirable to provide a V-shaped tab member glued to the inside of the envelope adjacent the bottom edge and contiguous the side edge. The apex of the V-shaped tab member is closely adjacent the bottom edge so that the thread-like member passes between the apex of the V-shaped tab member and the bottom edge inside the cavity. Applicant has found that this V-shaped tab member helps to restrain the thread-like member within the cavity to prevent it from being inadvertently pulled therefrom and, to assist in this function, applicant has found it advantageous to provide an enlarged section, such as a knot, adjacent the end of the portion of the thread-like member that is along the bottom edge so that if, for any reason, the bonding of the thread-like member to the inside of the cavity is broken, the knot will not pass between the apex of the V-shaped tab member and the bottom edge.

After the flap has been scaled on the baclc panel of the envelope and it is desired to open the envelope, the portion'of the thread-like member external the cavity may be detached from the envelope and pulled. This causes the thread-like member to cut through the side edge from the top to the bottom edge thereof and thereby allow removal of the contents of the envelope. For assistance in pulling on the thread-like member, applicant has also found it advantageous to provide a knot adjacent the end of the thread-like member that is external the envelope.

In another embodiment of applicants invention herein the thread-like member is secured along the top edge of the envelope. In this embodiment applicant has found it desirable to glue the thread-like member continuously along the top edge so that no loose portions of the threadlike member will interfere with the insertion of material into the envelope or, alternatively, the insertion of material into the envelope will not pull the threadlilte member away from contact with the top edge.

In providing such an easy opening means for envelopes that are included as part of the envelope structure itself it is extremely desirable that no modifications to the basic enveloped structure itself be required. This is desirable since the many styles of envelopes now in production are manufactured in comparatively large quantities. Therefore, to avoid the cost of retooling or of manufacturing special envelopes it is desirable that standard envelopes of any particular size or style be adaptable for utilization with such a quick opening means. 7

Further, for obvious reason, such means must be coll paratively light in weight so that the cost of mailing an envelope is not appreciably increased and also such an easy opening means must not interfere with the normal operation and utilization of such envelopes. Prior attempts to provide these desiderata have not, to the best of applicants knowledge, proven to be completely successful. In some instances they have required major modification to the standard enveloped structure or were comparatively heavy and bulky or interfered with the normal utilization and operation of the envelope.

It will be appreciated, that, while applicants invention herein is described as utilized in an envelope, this is done for illustrative purposes only. Applicants invention may equally well be utilized in any other similar type of enclosed cavity where it is desired to be able to quicldy and easily remove the contents thereof without utilization of special instrumentation.

The above embodiments of applicants invention are more fully described in the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of applicants invention;

rial.

FIGURE 2 is a partial fragmentary viewtaken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention. Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown the structure comprising one embodiment of applicants invention. As shown thereon there is provided an envelope It) of the kind; commonly utilized to mail letters or other mate- This type of envelope is generally comprised of -a flat sheet folded in preselected locations and bonded along preselected seams, as shown at 12. When so folded the envelope comprises a body member 14 having a back panel 16 and a'substantially coextensive front panel 18 joined together along folds defining a pair of oppositely disposed side edges 20 and 22 and a bottom edge 24. It will be appreciated that, for the type of envelope illustrated inFIGURE l, the side edges 20 and 22 and the bottom edge 24 comprise folds in'the planar sheet defining the envelope. However, for convenience in the description of applicants invention herein, these will be described asedges of the envelope 1%).

The back panel 16 and the front panel 18 define an 7 open topped cavity 26 in which material maybe inserted forappropriate use of the envelope iii.

A flap member 28 is coupled to the front panel 18 along the top edge 36 thereof and is provided generally with a sealing material 32 such as glue so that the flap- 28 may be sealed on the back panel 16 in the position indicatedby the dotted lines on FIG. 1.

A flexible, continuous thread-like member 34 is part of the envelope l0 and is comprised of three portions. A

first portion 36is contained within the cavity along the side edge 22. The first portion 36 may, if desired, be

glued or otherwise bonded to the body member interior stead, applicant has found that by bonding the first por- -'tion'.36 only at preselected locations as, for example, the jfirst area near the top edge 36 and a second area near the bottom edge 24, the thread-like member 34 is held adjacent the edge 22. the cavity 26 from the top thereof has generally not Also, the insertion of material into destroyed the special relationship of the7tl1read-like member 34 to the side edge 22. a

The thread-like member 34 has a second portion 40 that is placed adjacent the bottom edge 24'and extends therealong'a preselected distance. When the thread-like member 34 is provided with the second portion 40, applicant has found it advantageous to'provide a V-shaped tab member 42 having a first portion 44 bonded to the front 'panel 18 and a second portion-46 bonded to a back panel 16 with the apex 4% closely adjacent the bottom edge 24.

The second portion 4t) of the thread-like member 34 .passes between the apex 48 of the V-shaped tab member 42 and the bottom edge 24 the apex 48 being closely adjacent lhG/bOIlZOIIl edge 24. The V-shaped tab member 42 is contiguous the side edge 22 so that the first portion 36 of the thread-like member 34 lying therealong passes ber'34.

The thread-like member 34 also includes a third portion 52 externalthe cavity 26. This third portion 52 emerges fromthe cavity 26 atthe top edge 30 thereof and is folded back" down along the sideedge 22 a preselected distance. The third portion 52'is detachablybonded, as

- -for example, by light gluing to the outside of the envelope 10 as shown at 54. The third portion 52 of thethread- 4 like member 34 may also be provided with a knot 50 adjacent the end thereof.

In operation, when it is desired to remove the contents of the cavity 26 after the flap 28 has been sealed to the back panel 16, the knot 50 on the third portion 52 of the thread-like member 34, is grasped and the bonding 54 to the exterior of the envelope 10 is broken. 'The third portion 52 is then pulled downwardly causing the first portion 36 to cut or tear through the edge '22 from the top edge 30 to the bottom edge 24. When this edge has been so 'cut open, the contents of the envelope can be easily-removed. a

The bonding 38 of the first portion 36 of the threadlike member 34- to the interior of the envelope 10 together with the friction between the thread-like member34 and the envelope It? has generally been found by applicant to prevent the thread-like member 34 from being pulled out ber 34 upwardly along the side edge 22, the knot 50 in the' second portion 40 of the thread-like member 34 will en- .gage the V-shaped tab member 42and be restrained there .by and forced into frictional engagement between the apex 48 thereof and the bottom edge 24 to prevent the flexible thread-like'member 34 from sliding out of the cavity 26.

In the embodiment of applicants invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the envelope 10 is of the more common standard type of envelope for mailing letters and similar articles. However, applicant has also foundrthat his invention may equally well be'utilized in other types of envelopes as, for example, the heavier and/or larger type of envelope utilized for mailing or containing bulkier items. The structure illustrating this embodiment-of applicants invention is shown in FIGURE 3. As shown in FIGURE 3 an envelope of the type having a center seam 62 and a sealed bottom seam 64 is comprised of a back panel 66 and a substantially coextensive front panel 68 joined along a pair of oppositely disposed side edges 70 and 72 and a bottom edge 74 to define therebetween an open topped cavity 78. A flap portion is coupled to the front panel 68 along a top edge 82 and is scalable, by means of a suitable sealant or glue 76 to the back panel 66 to enclose the cavity 78 after insertion of the appropriate material therein.

In this embodimentof applicants invention a flexible,

continuous thread-like member 84 is bonded securely' along the entire top edge 82 and partially along the side edge 74 for a preselected distance. The flexible threadlike member-84 has a portion 86 external the envelope 60 which is detachably bonded, as at 88 to the external surfaces of the envelope 6t), for example, along the edge 72. a

In this embodiment of applicants. invention applicant has found it desirable to provide continuous bonding of gluing of the flexible thread-like member "84 along the top edge 82 so that'the insertion of material into the cavity 78 does not inadvertently catch, detachor remove the flexible thread-like member 84 from its position along the top edge 82. It will be appreciated, of course, that this particular arrangement of the flexible thread-like member 84 may equally well be utilized with the envelope 10 illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. However, in this embodiment of FIGURE 3, applicant-has found that it may not be necessary to provide a V-shaped tab member such as v the tab member 42 of FIGURE 1 to help restrain the thread-like member 84' along the top edge 82 since the continuous bonding, as described above, securely fastens the flexible thread-like member 84 to the envelope 60.

However, if desired, in certain applications it may be desirable to provide a V-shaped tab member similar'to the V-shaped tab member 42 of FIGURE 1 even though the thread-like member 84 is continuously bonded to the envelope 60.

In operation, after the flap 3i has been scaled by means of the sealant 76 to the back panel 66 and it is desired to remove the contents in the enclosed cavity 7 8, the portion 86 of the flexible thread-like member 84 is detached from the exterior of the envelope 72 breaking the bonding at 88 and is pulled towards the edge 70 thereby forcing the flexible thread-like member 84 to cut or tear along the top edge 82 from the side edge 72 to the side edge 70. The contents of the cavity 78 may then be suitably removed.

From the above it can be seen that applicants invention provides a unique arrangement for allowing the comparatively easy opening of the sealed envelope to permit the removal of the contents thereof without utilization of any special instruments. The means for so opening the envelope are provided as part of the envelope structure itself and, further, applicants invention may be utilized with any type of envelope desired, thereby allowing continued use of the standard high production volume enve lopes without changing their manufacture. Further, the means for opening the envelope does not in any way interfere with the normal operation of the envelope.

Those skilled in the art may find many variations and adaptations of applicants invention herein. Therefore, all such variations and adaptations falling within the true scope and spirit of applicants invention are intended to be covered by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An improved envelope comprising in combination:

a body member having substantially coextensive front and rear panels and said rear panel joined to said front panel along a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and along a bottom edge thereof to define an open top cavity therebetween, and a flap member joined to said front panel along a top edge thereof, said flap member sealable on said back panel to enclose said cavity;

a flexible, continuous thread-like member having a first portion within said cavity and adjacent a first preselected edge thereof, a second portion within said cavity adjacent a second preselected edge thereof and said second preselected edge intersecting said first preselected edge, and said first portion and said second portion of said thread-like member coupled to the inside of said body member at preselected locations, and a third portion exterior said cavity and detachably coupled to the outside of said body member;

a V-shaped tab member for restraining said thread-like member in said cavity coupled to the inside of said front panel and said back panel adjacent said second preselected edge and contiguous said intersection of said first preselected edge with said second preselected edge, said second portion of said thread-like member passing between the apex of said V-shaped tab member and said second preselected edge, and each of said second portion and said third portion of said thread-like member having an enlarged section adjacent the ends thereof, whereby detaching said third portion from said body member and pulling thereon forces said thread-like member to cut through said body member along said first preselected edge to allow removal of the contents of said cavity after said flap has been sealed on said back portion.

2. An improved envelope comprising, in combination:

a body member having substantially coextensive front and rear panels and said rear panel joined to said front panel along a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and along a bottom edge thereof to define an open topped cavity therebetween, and a flap member joined to said front panel along a top edge thereof, said flap member scalable on said back panel to enclose said cavity;

a flexible continuous thread-like member having a first, second and third portion, said first portion in said cavity adjacent said top edge and bonded thereto throughout the length thereof, said third portion exterior said cavity and detachably bonded to said body member along a first of said pair of oppositely disposed side edges, and said second portion within said cavity extending a preselected distance along the secand of said pair of oppositely disposed side edges from said top edge, and said second portion having an enlarged section adjacent the end thereof;

a V-shaped tab member for restraining said thread-like member Within said cavity coupled to the inside of said body member contiguous said top edge and adjacent said second of said preselected side edges, said third portion of said thread-like member passing be tween the apex of said V-shaped tab member and said second of said preselected side edges, whereby detaching said second portion of said thread-like member from said body member and pulling thereon forces said thread-like member to out said body member along said top edge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 114,672 5/71 Gregg 22986 0,7 54 5/00 Gruenhagen 229-86 2,858,971 11/58 Sandstrom 229-86 FOREIGN PATENTS 245,196 2/ 26 Italy. 322,933 11/34 Italy.

3 3,850 5/05 Switzerland.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED ENVELOPE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A BODY MEMBER HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE FRONT AND REAR PANELS AND SAID REAR PANEL JOINED TO SAID FRONT PANEL ALONG A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSED SIDE EDGES AND ALONG A BOTTOM EDGE THEREOF TO DEFINE AN OPEN TOP CAVITY THEREBETWEEN, AND A FLAP MEMBER JOINED TO SAID FRONT PANEL ALONG A TOP EDGE THEREOF, SAID FLAP MEMBER SEALABLE ON SAID BACK PANEL TO ENCLOSE SAID CAVITY; A FLEXIBLE, CONTINUOUS THREAD-LIKE MEMBER HAVING A FIRST PORTION WITHIN SAID CAVITY AND ADJACENT A FIRST PRESELECTED EDGE THEREOF, A SECOND PORTION WITHIN SAID CAVITY ADJACENT A SECOND PRESELECTED EDGE THEREOF AND SAID SECOND PRESELECTED EDGE INTERSECTING SAID FIRST PRESELECTED EDGE, AND SAID FIRST PORTION AND SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID THREAD-LIKE MEMBER COUPLED TO THE INSIDE OF SAID BODY MEMBER AT PRESELECTED LOCATIONS, AND A THIRD PORTION EXTERIOR SAID CAVITY AND DETACHABLY COUPLED TO THE OUTSIDE OF SAID BODY MEMBER; A V-SHAPED TAB MEMBER FOR RESTRAINING SAID THREAD-LIKE MEMBER IN SAID CAVITY COUPLED TO THE INSIDE OF SAID FRONT PANEL AND SAID BACK PANEL ADJACENT SAID SECOND PRESELECTED EDGE AND CONTIGUOUS SAID INTERSECTION OF SAID FIRST PRESELECTED EDGE WITH SAID SECOND PRESELECTED EDGE, SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID THREAD-LIKE MEMBER PASSING BETWEEN THE APEX OF SAID V-SHAPED TAB MEMBER AND SAID SECOND PRESELECTED EDGE, AND EACH OF SAID SECOND PORTION AND SAID THIRD PORTION OF SAID THREAD-LIKE MEMBER HAVING AN ENLARGED SECTION ADJACENT THE ENDS THEREOF, WHEREBY DETACHING SAID THIRD PORTION FROM SAID BODY MEMBER AND PULLING THEREON FORCES SAID THREAD-LIKE MEMBER TO CUT THROUGH SAID BODY MEMBER ALONG SAID FIRST PRESELECTED EDGE TO ALLOW REMOVAL OF THE CONTENTS OF SAID CAVITY AFTER SAID FLAP HAS BEEN SEALED ON SAID BACK PORTION. 